Acquire the knowledge and aptitude required to strategically drive the success of diverse and complex projects on our Project Management MSc. A discipline which blends planning and analysis, you will develop a range of leadership and management skills and gain an insight into the latest concepts and theories on the subject. Individuals with project management expertise are in high demand and the profession offers a versatile range of career opportunities.
Successful completion of this programme may contribute towards examinations for PRINCE2 qualifications
Option to become an affiliate member of the Association for Project Management (APM)
Project Management is a rapidly growing profession that offers exciting career opportunities
Gain experience working on live innovation projects
Opportunity to undertake a consultancy project, work placement or entrepreneurship pathway
Course summary
Effective project managers must be equipped with the appropriate skill set to successfully deliver a project on time and on budget. From technical know-how and people skills to enhancing your business acumen, our Project Management MSc has been designed to allow you to gain a thorough appreciation of the subject and develop a package of core project management techniques.
What you’ll learn
Our programme will enhance your critical understanding of the foundations of project management within diverse global business environments. You will explore the different project management strategies, methods, software, tools and competencies required to effectively manage diverse and complex projects.
Contemporary theories and concepts are integrated into the curriculum to provide you with a solid and up-to-date grounding in the subject. These currently include agile project management, a systems-thinking holistic approach that can assist with managing projects, project management 2.0 - which has seen the enhancement of project management for the 21st century, and the use of the latest project management software.
During your studies you will be able to apply your knowledge in practice and develop a portfolio of project management best practice by engaging in short projects with businesses in the region. Additional opportunities on the programme may include visiting appropriate organisations and engaging in networking events to strengthen your business insight and capabilities.
A vital part of managing projects is assessing the potential risks involved, and on this programme you will analyse how you can utilise different techniques to mitigate these. You will analyse the multiple challenges you might face as a project manager when looking at the potential impact of internal and external influences on managing a specific project. You will also investigate what the ethical and environmental aspects of managing risk in projects are and how incorporating the use of an organisation’s internal systems could potentially control risk.
There is a focus on the theme of leadership to improve your awareness of leadership theories, conflict and conflict resolution. You will evaluate your own capabilities in managing yourself and your team, and how to lead on projects. Team motivation, contemporary working behaviours such as virtual teams and autonomous working, together with culture and diversity in organisations is also studied.
You will be able to select from a variety of optional modules to customise your studies in line with your own particular areas of interest. This could include themes such as entrepreneurship, contemporary challenges in global business and strategic human resource management.
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Part of your induction for the January start will require you to engage with online resources on the foundations of project management.
Semester 1
Compulsory modules
Risk, Uncertainty and Managing Projects
Leading Project Teams
Research Methods
Optional modules
Entrepreneurship
Contemporary Challenges in Global Business
Semester 2
You will undertake an independent project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management or to tackle a specific management issue within an organisation, all of which is designed to enhance your employability and research skills.
The research dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 10,000 and 15,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in the field of project management.
During June to September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a marketing research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace.
Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process. Please view our terms and conditions to find out more.
An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.
Please note: The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK Students only
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.
Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.
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"The consultancy project not only provided me with invaluable ‘hands on’ experience in industry, but I also got paid for my expertise. With Swan Physio Ltd, a small independent physiotherapy business, the project entailed redesigning and mapping out the administrative processes within the business to make them more accessible/transparent and run more smoothly and efficiently. They were able to train new members of staff to undertake the administrative tasks a lot quicker and easier, to provide a better service to their customers. I presented the outcomes of my project to academic staff and the organisation."
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Entry requirements
Pre-Master's in Business
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subjectAdditional criteria apply
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or 65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject or Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pre-Master's in Business
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
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Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
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Your career
Qualifications in project management are highly sought after by employers and as a graduate from this programme you could pursue a range of high-powered professional project management careers. This programme will equip you with a distinctive combination of transferable skills and business intelligence that will allow you to work within different roles, sectors and organisations.
Successful completion of this programme will ideally place you to undertake further postgraduate studies at MPhil or PhD level.
You will be able to enter project management roles within a wide range of sectors depending on their background and experience including healthcare, computing, marketing, human relations and international development projects.
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Postgraduate Study at Keele Business School
As a postgraduate student at Keele Business School you will benefit from being taught in small groups by lecturers who are recognised experts in their fields.
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Teaching, learning and assessment
How is the programme taught?
Our wide ranging and inspiring teaching strategy provides a rich learning environment which draws from current research and contemporary professional practice in project management. The aim is to give you the essential project management knowledge and expertise you will need to succeed in your career. Teaching methods include lectures with subject specialists and guest speakers, tutorials, guided self-study and a choice of dissertation, consultancy, placement or entrepreneur pathways that aim to build your knowledge and understanding.
Additional methods may include group and individual presentations, individual feedback on assessments and the use of case studies and summative and formative assessment. You will be encouraged to develop your critical thinking skills, and apply and evaluate different project management theories and techniques.
Engagement opportunities with real world businesses are integrated into our programme so you can apply your project management theory and put it into practice.
How is the programme assessed?
We use a wide variety of assessment methods on this programme which will reflect the breadth of knowledge and skills you will develop on the Project Management MSc. These methods may include:
Executive reports and essays which might be based on case studies. These will test the quality and application of your subject knowledge.
Research reports will assess your knowledge of different research methodologies and your ability to formulate and answer research questions.
Oral presentations. These will test your subject knowledge and understanding and how you work effectively as a member of a team.
Examinations in various formats will check your core and in-depth knowledge of project management and your ability to apply that understanding. Exams could be essay, short answer and/or multiple choice questions.
The Dissertation pathway will assess your ability to work independently, formulate a research theme, develop an appropriate research methodology and demonstrate your comprehension of the subject. Through this critical approach you will bring all the strands of a particular debate together as a solution to an academic question.
If you undertake a Consultancy Project you will be tested on your ability to work independently with business clients on a specific project of benefit to that organisation. You will undertake a final project report and presentation as part of this project's assessment.
Undertake the Work Placement option and your workplace report will assess your ability to work independently with a business on a particular project of benefit to that organisation. You will undertake a final project report and presentation as part of the Work Placement opportunity.
On the Entrepreneurship pathway you will develop a portfolio that will present evidence of entrepreneurial activity that supports the development of your new business venture.
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Our expertise
Our Project Management MSc is delivered by experienced academics who are specialists in the field of project management, management and additional related themes. Academics at Keele Business School have extensive teaching, research and work experience in their specific fields and also engage with continuing professional development.
